bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
So, I had big plans to show you my freshly painted and redecorated bathroom today but apparently the universe had other plans. Yesterday a little after noon I sat down, video on the screen, fabric all laid out and began to stitch together my very first homemade roman shade.
2 restarts, and 6 hours later at the urging of my husband, I stepped away from my makeshift sewing table in the basement and called it a day. I had only made it through the first 10 minutes of the 14 minute youtube video. Everyone keeps saying it will get easier, the more I make, but sheesh, this first one, it’s a doozy.
Here a pick, there a pick, everywhere a pic pic. 3 Picks in one week, that’s a record.
Possible candidate for new laundry room tile. What do you think? Fun and funky, or is it too trendy and looks like a quilt from a county fair? I need your input.
And last but not least…. My husband. We’ve been married for 25 years, together for 27 and in ALL THAT TIME he has picked out EXACTLY 3 “decor” items for our home. THREE. Maybe this is the going rate {once every 8 years or so} for actual decorating purchases made by husbands across the board… I don’t know but I can tell you one thing, he’s definitely got a style all his own. 😉
- Item #1 A beautiful wire and pink beaded tree {which we still have and that I love}.
- Item #2 A set of 8 heavy glass 1970’s looking votive holders {I finally was able to convince him to get rid of those at our last yard sale}.
- Item #3 It arrived yesterday…. And what do you know, it’s Italian, and very FRA GEE LAY.
I kid you not. He spotted a leg lamp online and thought it would be the perfect decoration for the front window. Because really, why stop at front door or porch decorations… It looks like this year we will be going all out on the window displays as well.
Oh Lucy, what has he done?
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thursday! Let’s do this.
Fingers crossed I can get the roman shade finished up today and do a show and tell tomorrow.
Peace Out Girl Scouts,
~Mavis
Eliza says
Bahaha the leg lamp!!! Amazing.
As for the tile, I think it would be lovely for the floor as long as the rest of the space stays pretty simple. I think if it were appearing anywhere else in the room, or if there are other patterns in the room, it will look a tad busy.
Lindsey says
Love the tile. I think it is currently trendy but also very similar to tiles of the 50s so it’s classic looking.
Andrea says
Is the lamp going to be font and center for Halloween or Christmas? Or both? Love it either way!
How did you enjoy our first nor’easter of the season?
I’m sure many more to come with lost of snow instead of rain!
Paula says
Oh my! What a funky day you had!
Lynne says
I like the tile too, but I’d be worried about it in a large space so for me it would depend on the size of the room. And how much of the floor is occupied, like a long mat in front of the washer and drier, etc.
Lissa says
Tile opinon: too busy for me. I’d get tired of it.
Di says
Does it go with your beach theme?
Jennifer Jo says
LOVE THE LEG LAMP!!!!
Nancy says
Lucy’s face! Mommmmm?????????
Lissa (another one!) says
Lucy’s look of concern is PRICELESS.
Jen says
Love the leg lamp…at your house not mine! The tile seems kinda trendy. And as someone who just bought a house with too-trendy-bathroom tile, I’m wondering if in a split second it’s gonna look dated. But it’s pretty.
The shades—you can do it!!! I watched a video recently about making a simple, 10-minute skirt. I guess I just *chose* to take a few hours?! …after pondering it repeatedly for days?! I’ve gotten better though. You can do it!
Carrie says
I tried Roman shades for our first house….we ended up buying wooden blinds from Home Depot. I still have yards of off white waffle weave fabric…
Katie says
Your husband cracks me up.
I love the laundry room tile. I think patterned tile is trendy right now, but I haven’t seen anything like this! It does look like a quilt, but I think that’s what I like about it. And I think patterned tile is so fun for smaller rooms, like a laundry room. Go for it!
Judy says
Poor Lucy.. The embarrassment of it all. Who pays $200 for an UGLY leg lamp!? H.H. is a funny guy! Lol
IMO Tile too busy for me anywhere you would put it.
Making shades is mega work and material seems to gather dust. I had similar in a forever home . Turned out I hated them and the them down. Wore my vacuum out trying to keep them dust free.
Mavis have a great weekend, stay warm.
Deborah says
Be careful when you water your plants…the lamp is Fragilly…Love the lamp and the movie..
Teresa says
Like the tile.
Don’t like the lamp.
Charleen says
Joann Fabrics (online) sells roman shade tape that is evenly spaced out. Might help if you are planning to sew all the shades yourself. I would go nuts sewing all the rings on individually.
I like the tile for a laundry room. Retro, fun, and funky!
Cindi says
I was just coming on to say that instead of sewing those little rings on one at a time, use Roman shade tape. It will go much faster and, I think, hold up better over time.
Erin says
I wanted a tile similar in my bathroom/laundry area. Husband said hes never replacing what I choose so I ended up with large marble looking tiles and a fun rug instead. Changing decor and paint is easy, keep everything else simple as it’s a big pain to redo when it’s no longer cool. Also, I’d get the shade made for the window the hh puts the lamp in.
Jennifer says
Change the color and the flooring reminds me, not in a good way, of the 70’s. Not my taste, but whatever speaks to you.
Diana says
Not a big fan of the tile. Don’t know why, but it just seems a little busy and…. pointy? lol..
LOVE the lamp. It’ll be fun for the holidays. Remember, it doesn’t have to be out ALL the time – and you can switch rooms to one that you don’t go into very often when it gets to you, lol..
Nancy D says
I was just picturing the leg lamp showing up in different rooms so that the locals could “search” for it as they walk or drive by. (“Mommy, let’s drive by the Leg House!”) hahaha!!!
Granny B says
Great idea about moving the lamp around!! Love it!!! The Leg House!
Kathleen says
Awesome!!!
Laura says
Agree with the other posters that the tile is super trendy right now and will be dated in, oh a year or two. Personally, I think a simpler tile would be better and more in keeping with the design of your house, but hey, it’s your house, you do you!
Agree with Lucy on the lamp, but hey, a little kitsch never hurt anyone.
I have made several Roman blinds and I like the tape, but be aware that it gets very pricey very fast, especially if you think you will be making several blinds. At least try to get it with a coupon or something!
Margo says
Laughed so hard at the lamp story. Read it to my husband…he didn’t get it. Oh well, think the lamp is a hoot! The tile is a bit busy. Does it go with your other decor? No, not thinking about the lamp here. My son had one of those lamps for years, on his end table!
Teri says
The tile does look “quilty”. I think it’s busy but maybe your room is small enough to handle it. The news is showing a big noreaster– let us know how it was where you are. Stay safe and warm!
Karen says
Not a fan of the print for the flooring. Very busy looking. I like the colors just not the print. Also not really something that reminds me of a beach theme house…..from someone who lives in Cape May NJ on the Atlantic and Delaware Bay!
Sherry in Sumner says
The tile looks like it will go better in your cute house than a leg lamp. In another year or so your husband will probably even be saying, What the heck was I thinking?! I say leave the cooking to him and the decorating to you, Mavis. That’s a win-win for you!
dj_1973 says
On the bright side, I saw on TV that those leg lamps are easily broken in freak vacuuming accidents…
I like the tile; I think in a laundry room you end up covering a lot of the floor with the machines, hampers, baskets, etc., so having a quilt-type pattern would be pretty and appropriate.
A hygienist friend keeps track of those flossers as litter. It’s ridiculous (and disgusting) what people will throw on the ground. Fining litterbugs would certainly be a good way to keep the public coffers full.
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
I made a ridiculously large roman black-out shade for my daughter’s easy-facing bedroom a few years ago, and it took FOREVER, but I am convinced that a second one (for the other daughter’s also east-facing bedroom) would take about 1/2 as long. And it probably wouldn’t have the 24-inch long > symbol stitched into the blackout material from when it got caught under the seam I was sewing (seriously, about 76 inches across by 45 inches long, I had to order lightweight plastic dowels online)… I used the pre-made shade tape and it worked out really well for me. I needed a lot, but it was worth it. Coupons 🙂 With the number you’re planning on making, you would do well getting a whole roll (discounted).
HollyG says
I think that tile is FANTASTIC! Where better than the laundry room to inject some fun. If it can make you smile every time you wrestle to fold your fitted sheets – then it’s perfect. I’s go for it.
Melanie says
The tile is pretty but the
colors are trendy and will be dated quickly. The grays have been going strong for quite a while, but I would worry that you might get tired of it, and it’s not very cheery for a laundry room.
Connie says
Love the tile ! I made balloon shades for my daughters room in 1980s. Basically just a roman shade you gather up. I used the ring tape and it was pretty easy..
Lana says
I live in gear of a leg lamp showing up here! Lately I have been seeing picks tucked behind ears of bald men. I wonder how many men with hair have them lurking b we home their ears too.
Mable says
I think that tile is the ugliest, trendiest in the worst sense, tile I have ever seen. To each his own.
SandyF says
Run away run far away from trendy tile-Joanna Gaines black & white “modern rustic” and follow your own style. I love that tile-but, it is the avocado green of the 70’s, the oak of the 80’s and the granite of the 2000’s. Let the house tell you what it wants-whatever year the house was built-let that be your guide.
I have a 1915 house, I could never disrespect her by installing anything but what she was meant to have. You can’t go wrong if you stick with the vintage of the house. Install simple tile in a funky pattern, or insert a few cool funky tiles to give it some pop. I even saw a vintage house with a laundry room with penny tiles, and inserted was the word “fresh” in darker tile. Be creative-but let the house tell you what she needs…
Martina says
First thoughts on looking at the tile were “ it’s nice, but too trendy and Mavis could pick a better choice”. Personally I’d go with a marble looking tile that adds to the laundry area clean tidy look and is easy to clean.
Cindy Brick says
Uh-huh.
And this is the same guy that’s convinced people died in, on or around all those thrift shop buys.
Figures.
I will not show this to my husband, for fear he will want to order one, too!
Andrea Jacobi says
I like the tile however, it’s pretty trendy and may quickly go “out of style”. Remember when shag carpet and avocado appliances were all the rage… just sayin’… I’d go with something a little safer and traditional.
Patti says
Tell him to stick with cooking.
What is with people throwing their dental paraphernalia on the ground? It’s disgusting!
I’m pretty conservative with decorating and tend to do the trendy things with accent items. Flooring is a bigger expense and if you get tired of that pattern…
Christa H. says
I like the tile but it is way too trendy. I love a house with plain colors/good architecture and add color with the wall hangings/art and pillows that can be changed easily.
Love the leg lamp. One of my favorite movies!
Deb says
The tile is completely gross. It will be out of style in less that five years. Give it a pass and pick something much more classic.
Sue says
This post is really funny, the look on Lucy’s face is priceless. I can’t remember a single time in our married life that my husband picked out anything for our home, my goodness if he did it would be a leg lamp. It’s a hoot that yours did.
I’m really afraid to post an opinion about the tile. I was so wrong about your last place you sold. I just knew you had found your happy place.
Can’t wait to see the nautical decor that you choose. The decorate houses you posted
were wonderful. Looks like a fun place to love. Does Lucy bark at people passing by?
Our Baxter does and especially at construction trucks.
Mavis Butterfield says
Little Miss Gladys Kravitz is having the time of her life! 🙂 Just wait until we get the fence in… she will be going nuts barking at people until they realize they’ll need to pay a cookie toll to pass her place.
Gina says
My husband insisted on buying the bb gun from A Christmas Story for our son when he was 3. Men!
Mavis Butterfield says
Monkey Boy had one too! 🙂
Mariapia Watzig says
Mavis,
You have to pick up ring tape for your Roman shades, it’s a twill tape that has the little rings already attached. All you do is measure and line them up, sew it on and then attached to your top bar. I like to add a small crease where I want the shade to fold so it stays crisp. This will help you a ton!!
Rita says
The roman shade tape on line at Joanns.
https://www.joann.com/wrights-roman-shade-tape-1inx36yd/15221518.html
Do you get their coupons?
Gloria says
Sheesh, who knew tile could ellicit such strong opinions? Eager to see what you choose.
Kristin says
I know! I was kind of shocked! Just say, “I think you could do better” and move on!
Ratty says
The tile is ugly but if you must put it down put it in the basement where no one will see it but if you must put it in the laundry room put a big rug over it
Kim says
I love the tile and would buy it in an instant, if I were looking for tile. But I just like what I like, and don’t care if it’s in or out. It might only be an issue if I were looking to sell the house down the road.
Mary Lou says
Like the tile, especially that price for porcelain!
Mel says
I like the tile, because it looks like a quilt. Do what makes you happy!
Terri M Lindeke says
I love the look on Lucy’s face, like “mom I’m afraid, really afraid” But it’s a fun thing… Keep it as long as it is fun.. then pass along to someone else. We had friends that had a porch decoration that would go from their home to the others in the dark of the night, with some alteration that would stun or amuse. It became a tradition. Try that.. or not.
The tile I think is pretty… but I don’t live with you. Do what pleases you…
And have a great day! You deserve it. Have some fun
Karin says
OMG the leg lamp is hilarious! I can’t think of a single decor item that my husband has purchased in 32 years of marriage, thank goodness!
tia in boise says
I like the tile. Apparently I’m not with it enough to even recognize if a tile is “trendy” or not! (How would I even know???) Who cares? You (and family) are the only ones going to be hanging out in the laundry room.
Mel says
I see your lamp and raise you 12 (twelve!) glass moose mugs from National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation. That’s what my husband bought last year, and I had to reorganize all the shelves in our basement to cram them in there.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh my word.
Teckla says
If you can handle it, after a day like you’ve had, search You Tube for Pam Damour. She’s a queen of Roman shades, well, actually Warm Window Insulated Shade Systems. Might give you some help/ideas. For me personally, NO on the tile and NO, NO on the lamp. But it’s your home and your life, so if you two can live in peace with either/both of them, hurray for you! Love your sense of humor!
Jude Dewitt says
As soon as I saw the “fragile” on the box I knew what was inside! Oh, what a hoot!
Yesterday’s post was so much fun! I adore small town living. My daughter lived in a small farming town for years. I wish you many happy years there.
I’m with Martina on the subject of the tile: stay large and marble, though the colors are lovely.
Wendy Steele says
The tile is too busy, in my opinion. The lamp is fun for Christmas decorating!!!!
Joely says
Bwaahhhh! I love the leg lamp. That is my favorite movie. I am definitely NOT telling my husband about it however. He’d put it front and center in our bay window I am sure…
Renee Knoeck says
The tile is too fake looking. How about a nice honed white marble with gray dots. It’s classic and will never go out of style. I bought mine online for half the price of the stores. My tile guy couldn’t get it cheaper. I paid 11.99 per 12×12 inch tile.
Kristen Finnemore says
I like the tile. You do you Mavis! (this coming from a woman who tiles her bathroom floor with a million tiny mixed shape green algae color tile. I even put little flowers in it. )
and the lamp, oh the lamp. It speaks for itself. Glowing sex in the window.
Katie King Schneider says
I like the tile, especially for a small laundry room. I think it could give a nice punch of style (that WILL be fine in 10+ years) in what is usually a hum-drum utilitarian space. I feel like the colors are neutral and-hey- if you do get tired of it, you could put a rug down!
That being said, don’t choose it because it’s cheap!
Virginia says
If you want a simple, classic look for your laundry room, I recommend ceramic round penny tiles with a sanded white grout. These tiles debuted in the early 1900s, are inexpensive, non-slip, come in colors (hello blues!), and are much more forgiving in rooms that have uneven floors. If your laundry room floor is large enough, you could even inset a narrow border of white penny tiles for some added interest with the colored tiles. It would definitely work with your red, white, and blue theme marvelously! (On a side note, I highly recommend you put down a waterproof tile membrane on your laundry room floor before any tile installation.)
Mavis Butterfield says
Just looked up penny tiles and I LOVE the look! Thank you.
Emily Bockmiller says
How about a navy subway tile for the laundry room?